Optical Collection Control via Display Translucency Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices with integrated optical collection devices, such as cameras, face challenges in maintaining device integrity and security due to the need for separate placement and potential unauthorized data collection without user notification.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device configuration with an optical collection device, a display device, and a control device, where the optical collection device has distinct power consumption states and the display device includes a region that can change optical states to either allow or block data collection, ensuring data integrity and security by controlling the optical component subset to change between states based on user requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the optical collection device is integrated into the electronic device, then device integrity is improved, but security control and user notification capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice integrityVSAvoidsecurity control

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The display device serves as an intermediary between the optical collection device and the external environment. By controlling the optical components of the display to switch between transparent and opaque states, it mediates light transmission to the optical collection device, enabling security control without compromising device integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the optical collection device is placed separately from other devices, then security control is improved, but device integrity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity controlVSAvoiddevice integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the optical collection device with the electronic device by integrating it behind the display. The display's optical components are controlled to enable or disable light transmission to the optical collection device, combining security control functionality with device integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If the optical collection device collects data continuously, then data collection capability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata collection capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The optical collection device operates periodically rather than continuously. The control device switches the display's optical components between transparent and opaque states based on data collection needs, enabling the optical collection device to collect data only during periods when the display allows light transmission, thus reducing energy consumption while maintaining data collection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

4Use of energy by moving object

If the optical collection device is controlled to switch between power states, then energy consumption is reduced, but data collection responsiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoiddata collection responsiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The display's optical components are prepared in advance to switch between transparent and opaque states rapidly in response to control signals. This preliminary preparation of the optical path enables the optical collection device to transition quickly between active and inactive states, improving data collection responsiveness while maintaining energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration ensures the optical collection device can collect data only when necessary, enhancing security by preventing unauthorized data collection and maintaining device integrity by integrating the optical collection device without separate placement, thus improving user privacy and experience.

Implementation Method 1

A unit optical component of the optical component collection changes an optical state according to a control signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical state change:

Data Source

PatentUS11736793B2Electronic device and control method for optical collection

Publication Date: 2023.08.22 LENOVO (BEIJING) LTD

AI summary

An electronic device includes an optical collection device, a display device, and a control device. The optical collection device has a first power consumption state and a second power consumption state. In the first power consumption state, the optical collection device is configured to obtain optical data in a collection range. The display device includes an optical component collection arranged in an array. A unit optical component of the optical component collection changes an optical state according to a control signal. The control device is configured to control a first optical component subset of the first region. The first region has a first optical state and a second optical state. In the second optical state, the optical collection device obtains the optical data that do not characterize the external environment of the electronic device.